By joining the ‘Shoulder-to-Shoulder: Cohesive Communities’ national project run by the Ministry for Development, the Velyka Berezovytsia community of the Ternopil region has allocated over UAH 700,000 from its own budget for the construction of shelters in the Sviatohirsk community of the Donetsk region.

By Dmytro Syniak

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Velyka Berezovytsia is a large settlement located near Ternopil on the banks of the Seret River. More than 9,000 people live here. Its importance grew significantly in 2020 when it became the centre of a community spanning 205 square kilometres with a population of almost 25,000. Sviatohirsk is a city located on the banks of the Siverskyi Donets River in the Donetsk region, close to Sloviansk. Before the full-scale invasion, it was home to around 6,000 people. Also in 2020, Sviatohirsk became the centre of a community spanning 376.4 square kilometres with a population of 9,000. The two communities are separated by over 1,000 km, but this distance was overcome by the ‘Shoulder-to-Shoulder: Cohesive Communities’ project. Participation in the project enabled Sviatohirsk to receive funds for the construction of shelters and allowed Velyka Berezovytsia to demonstrate that Ukraine is not divided into east and west, south and north, but is instead a unified country. Andrii Halaiko, Head of the Velyka Berezovytsia community, spoke to Decentralisation about this.

 

I wanted to see the situation first-hand…

 

The Velyka Berezovytsia community was one of the first to join the ‘Shoulder-to-Shoulder: Cohesive Communities’ project. Why did you decide to take part in it?

Indeed, we signed one of the first memoranda of cooperation in Ukraine — with the Sviatohirsk community. I met Volodymyr Rybalkin, Head of the Sviatohirsk Military Administration, at a meeting of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities under the President of Ukraine last December. Volodymyr is an ATO veteran and a combatant in the 2014 war. He is also a civic activist, volunteer, and investigative journalist who has been quite successful in fighting corruption. Volodymyr became the head of the Sviatohirsk City Military Administration in July 2022… We found common ground immediately and started our cooperation.

In what area?

There were several of them. First, our teachers met with teachers from Sviatohirsk, after which a teleconference was held between our various educational institutions. Then, during the celebration of Unity Day, we met again in St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv. Volodymyr Rybalkin told me frankly, ‘If we don’t stop the invaders in the Donetsk region, they may reach you.’ I remembered his words well. I then decided that I had to go to Sviatohirsk and see the situation first-hand. Time has shown that this was the right decision.

What did you see in the Sviatohirsk community?

On the one hand, I was overwhelmed by its beauty. We had never heard anything about the Donetsk region being a tourist destination. But the nature and landscapes there are simply extraordinary! Just imagine: during the Soviet era, there were over 50 recreation centres in the Sviatohirsk community alone! Unfortunately, most of them are now in ruins, having been destroyed by russian Kalibr, Iskander and Kinzhal missiles, as well as drones... I was also shocked by this — how can one destroy the tourist potential of a region that has been built up over decades? Even the Sviatohirsk Lavra was not exempt from the Muscovites’ attacks, with several columns being damaged... I did not arrive in Sviatohirsk empty-handed, but with a large quantity of detergent. These were essential for the laundries and showers organised throughout the city for both civilians and the military.

What impressed you most during that trip?

Russian tanks fired directly at schools and kindergartens. For example, a music school in the centre of Sviatohirsk was completely destroyed in such an attack, leaving only the basement. However, two schools in the community can be rebuilt, and we are ready to contribute to this effort.

What have you heard from local residents of the Sviatohirsk community? How are they feeling?

I have been on both banks of the Siverskyi Donets River: where the enemy forces used to be and where Ukrainian troops are now. I met many wonderful people who are patriotic and do not want to leave, supporting our military in every way possible. I also heard many stories about de-occupation: several villages in the area were liberated by our Armed Forces after they had been occupied by russian forces in 2022. I was very surprised that many of those who did not flee the city (about 1,000 people) had visited western Ukraine at least once. Realising that we are not the enemies portrayed in russian propaganda videos, these people changed their attitude towards the war in general. They decided to stay and fight. They were also very happy to see that these same ‘scary westerners’ were helping them.

 

First meeting at the Local Self-Government Congress last December. From left to right: Volodymyr Rybalkin, Head of the Sviatohirsk Military Administration; Oleksii Riabykin, Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine; Andrii Halaiko, Head of the Velyka Berezovytsia Community

 

A ‘historic’ joint photo taken in St. Sophia’s Cathedral in Kyiv against the backdrop of the Fourth Universal of the Central Rada, which proclaimed the independence of the Ukrainian People’s Republic on 22 January 1918

 

High-level meeting. From left to right: Andrii Halaiko, Head of the Velyka Berezovytsia Community; Vadym Filashkin, Head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration; and Volodymyr Rybalkin, Head of the Sviatohirsk Military Administration

 

Meeting with the Head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration in Kramatorsk this February. In the centre on the left is Volodymyr Rybalkin, Head of the Sviatohirsk Military Administration, next to him is Andrii Halaiko, Head of the Velyka Berezovytsia Community

 

Volodymyr Rybalkin in the ATO, 2014

 

Assistance in the amount of UAH 700,000 for the construction of shelters

 

So, following this trip, the Velyka Berezovytsia Settlement Council decided to help the people of the Donetsk region rebuild the outpatient clinic in Khrestyshche village, allocating approximately UAH 400,000 for this purpose, didn’t it?

It was our initial plan, but we changed it later. When I arrived and saw everything with my own eyes, I convinced Mr Rybalkin that it would be much better to invest in the construction of shelters rather than outpatient clinics. This is more urgent and what people need most. Once we manage to protect people from russian missiles, we will also be able to protect them from disease. I also argued that we could allocate an additional UAH 300,000 for shelters. After all, shelters form part of the city’s defence system.

What was the reaction of the councillors of the Velyka Berezovytsia Settlement Council to the proposal to double the amount of aid given to partners?

I cannot say that it was easy, given that UAH 700,000 is a considerable sum. For our community, it is certainly no small amount. The councillors belong to different political parties and have different views. However, after I told them what I had seen and heard in the Donetsk region in detail, they all supported my proposal unanimously. The fact that this was a co-financing case, and that we were literally lending a helping hand to fellow citizens in trouble, also played a role.

What will happen to the clinic in Khrestyshche? Will it not be repaired?

We may consider it later. Only the windows damaged by the explosions needed to be replaced. On the one hand, it is not complicated, but on the other hand, the clinic cannot function without windows. I believe we can manage it.

Will your community’s support for the army decrease now that Velyka Berezovytsia has decided to support the Sviatohirsk community?

This year, we have adopted as many as 25 programmes to support various military units. Each of these programmes involves transfers for material support. There are also specific programmes for purchasing drones, electronic warfare equipment, antennas, and other items for units in which our community residents serve. There are also programmes providing direct support to military personnel. Last year, for example, all personnel received UAH 5,000 annually from us, while those wounded received UAH 10,000. We have increased these payments this year: UAH 15,000 per year for each person, and UAH 20,000 for those who have been wounded. The families of those killed or missing in action receive the same amount. Considering that we have around a thousand military personnel, our expenses are considerable, amounting to tens of millions of hryvnias... Similarly, we are considering ways to support the Sviatohirsk community. This is a step towards strengthening the defence capability of the entire state. After all, the idea behind the ‘Shoulder-to-Shoulder’ project is to create so-called outposts on the russian border and on the front line: powerful communities supported by all of Ukraine.

Are the Sviatohirsk and Velyka Berezovytsia communities similar?

On the one hand, they have the same problems as us: water supply, sewage, waste disposal, and service provision... Sviatohirsk is near Sloviansk and Velyka Berezovytsia is near Ternopil, so we are both suburban communities. However, the huge difference is that we are in the rear, while they are an outpost community — a frontline community which the russians bombard daily with everything they have. While we are governed by a settlement council, the Sviatohirsk community is governed by a military administration. This means that, whereas all decisions in our community are made collectively in sessions and specialised committees, in theirs they are made by one person. Overall, it is more difficult for us to make decisions because we first have to convince the councillors.…

 

Wreath laying at the monument to the fallen soldiers of the S. Kulchytskyi National Guard Battalion of Ukraine that liberated Sviatohirsk in autumn 2022. From left to right in the front row: Volodymyr Rybalkin, Head of the Sviatohirsk Military Administration; Andrii Halaiko, Head of the Velyka Berezovytsia Community; and Mariana Tomyn, Head of the ‘Shoulder-to-Shoulder: Cohesive Communities’ National Project

 

Volodymyr Rybalkin, Head of the Sviatohirsk Military Administration (centre), Andrii Halaiko, Head of the Velyka Berezovytsia Community, and Mariana Tomyn, Head of the ‘Shoulder-to-Shoulder: Cohesive Communities’ National Project in Sviatohirsk, against the burnt-out Russian infantry fighting vehicle destroyed in 2022

 

Volodymyr Rybalkin, Andrii Halaiko, and Mariana Tomyn assess the possibilities for providing assistance to the Sviatohirsk community on site

 

Lending a shoulder to each other, we will keep Ukraine united!

 

Describe the first steps of your cooperation with Sviatohirsk.

On the third day of Easter in April, the first delegation from this city arrived in our community, comprising 12 children and 2 teachers. Although they only stayed with us for five days, they left with tears in their eyes because they had loved it so much here. We showed them everything we had to offer: from schools and clubs to businesses and churches. We sang haivky (traditional Ukrainian spring songs) together… We were very pleased that our guests left satisfied and with the best possible impression of their visit. We understand how important this is to them, given that they live practically on the front line. Most of the children had never been to western Ukraine before. This trip was one of the first steps in our cooperation. There will now be other joint cultural and sporting events, which we have already agreed upon.

Are you considering the possibility of centralised evacuation of residents of the Sviatohirsk community to Velyka Berezovytsia?

We are open to various proposals. For now, we have made the therapeutic wing of the central district hospital in our Mishkovychi village available to displaced persons from the eastern, southern, and northern regions. First, we renovated it together with our partners and provided everything necessary, including shower booths and washing machines. We also plan to convert a three-storey administrative building, formerly home to the village council and the collective farm office, into a dormitory for displaced persons... Since the outbreak of the full-scale war, our community has received more than 10,000 internally displaced persons. Around a thousand of them have settled here, mostly in the private housing sector, and some have even purchased their own homes. To protect the interests of these people, we have set up an IDP council… So far, we have not raised the issue of evacuating the residents of the Sviatohirsk community, as there has been no need to do so. But who knows what the future will bring? After all, the front line is getting closer and closer to Sviatohirsk. When I arrived, the russian front line was around 20 km away; now it is only 15 km…

Are you planning to support the Sviatohirsk community by providing them with vehicles and specialists? After all, such outpost communities are in desperate need of this kind of support.

Unfortunately, we do not have any vehicles that we could donate to Sviatohirsk. However, we are willing to send our specialists there. Ultimately, as far as I can see, people expect us to provide advice, contacts and kind words more than material assistance. This is why we try to communicate as much as possible, share our experience and encourage as many people as possible to join the dialogue.

What can you say about the ‘Shoulder-to-Shoulder: Cohesive Communities’ project? How timely is it?

This is an extremely important project because it connects the east and west of Ukraine. It also strengthens the Ukrainian defence line, which is based on outpost communities. Participating in the ‘Shoulder-to-Shoulder’ project has helped us to understand each other better. We have experienced mutual responsibility and friendship, and, most importantly, we have felt proud to be Ukrainian. I hope that we will continue to communicate with the Sviatohirsk community after the war is over. Then our children will be able to go on holiday to the Donetsk region and experience its beautiful nature and stunning locations… We are ready to help with reconstruction and restoration work. Incidentally, the Chemerivtsi community of the Khmelnytskyi region recently signed a memorandum with the Sviatohirsk community under the ‘Shoulder-to-Shoulder’ project. So now we will be helping Sviatohirsk together! This is how we will keep Ukraine united, lending a helping hand to each other!

 

 

Volodymyr Rybalkin, Head of Sviatohirsk Military Administration:

 

Volodymyr Rybalkin, Head of Sviatohirsk Military Administration

 

As with every outpost community, the support of our partner communities is extremely important to us. We are in a difficult situation because three of our thirteen localities have been occupied and four have been completely destroyed. The villages of Bohorodychne, Mazanivka, Krasnopillia, and Dolyna have been turned into ruins. We have also lost 70 per cent of our population, which has caused a number of problems, primarily with staffing. We have a lot of support from the state, as well as from international and national humanitarian organisations. However, we also rely on close cooperation with our partners in the ‘Shoulder-to-Shoulder’ project. Life is much easier when you know a friend will always lend you a helping hand. We have outlined three areas of cooperation with the Velyka Berezovytsia community: housing and utilities, social services, and culture. The cultural area is the easiest, because our children immediately started communicating online… Everything else is in the process of being implemented. We were extremely grateful that Andrii Halaiko decided to visit us in person to see everything with his own eyes and assess the depth of our problems himself. For security reasons, he could have refrained from doing so or sent some of his experts to visit us instead. However, he chose to visit us in person, which is also a testament to his commitment and confirmation that his community takes our needs seriously and is genuinely eager to support us. This sincere and comprehensive support will provide outpost communities with additional opportunities to revitalise frontline areas.